Palau Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Palau, State of Micronesia, Western Pacific; 488 km², 18,000 residents (2019).Palau comprises eight larger and just over 250 smaller islands. The main islands are Koror and Babelthuap. The capital is Ngerulmud on the island of Babelthuap.

Country facts

Belau (Palau)
Republic of Palau (English) /
Republic of Palau
Country abbreviation: PW
Area: 488 km²
Population (2019): 18,000 residents
Capital: Ngerulmud
Main languages: palau, english
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Tommy Remengesau (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 17,318
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 16,910
Currency unit: US $ 1 = 100 cents
Currency code: USD
Country code (telephony): 680
Internet domain name: pw
Time difference compared to Sweden: +8
National Day: July 9 (Constitution adopted, 1979)
Independence Day: October 1, 1994

Nature

Land use: no information available
Highest mountain: Ngerchelchuus (242 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 37 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.5%; birth rate 14 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (20%), 15-64 (73%), 65- (7%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 68 years, women 78 years
Infant mortality (2019): 17 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 30,000 residents
HDI (2017): 0.798 (place 60 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 80%
Most populous city (2016): Koror (9,800 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2016): agriculture (3%), industry (19%), service (78%)
Exports (2016): USD 118 million
Main export products: seafood, tuna
Main exporting countries: USA, Japan, Singapore
Imports (2016): US $ 179 million
Main import products: machinery, fuel, food
Main importing countries: USA, Japan, Singapore

Communications

Railway network: nothing in operation
Road network (2010): 61 km
Internet users per 100 residents: no information available

Palau’s island world is largely surrounded by an elongated coral reef; many of the islands are also coral islands. However, the largest island of Babelthuap has bedrock formed by volcanism and reaches up to more than 200 m above sea level. The climate is tropical.

The country, which became independent in 1994, has a democratic regime in which the executive power lies with a president and a vice president; both are elected in general, direct elections for a four-year term. The legislative power lies with Parliament, which consists of a Senate and a delegate, both houses elected in general elections every four years. There are no political parties. The economy is dominated by the tourism and service sectors, but there is also some export of textiles, tuna and tropical crops such as copra. Self-management through fishing and agriculture is very widespread. The country receives extensive financial support from the United States.